Life is stressful. There are a lot of different ways to relax, but according to TikTok, nothing is as relaxing as being near water. This theory is going viral and is being called the ‘blue mind theory’. This is what you need to know about it.
What is the blue mind theory?
According to the blue mind theory, spending time near water can reduce your stress and anxiety. For example, think of the sea or a large lake. This explains, for example, why we like to go on holiday to a location with a beach. According to the theory, drinking water is good for your overall well-being and may even help you sleep. Thanks to social media, the theory is popular again, but the idea has been around for some time. The idea originally came from a marine biologist who realized in 2015 that water has a calming effect. Having a blue mind is that nice, relaxed feeling you get when floating around in the sea, a pool or a lake. A holiday by the water is truly relaxing. Sometimes just spending about twenty minutes near the water is enough to boost your mood. As soon as you see the blue water you should feel even better.
The benefits of water
The blue mind theory sounds pretty logical, because who doesn’t love the beach? But science even backs the theory! A natural environment, such as water, can help you relax and prevent overthinking. Hearing waves or other water sounds can also reduce the stress hormone cortisol in your body. Seeing water probably also brings back happy childhood memories of fun beach vacations, which creates a nostalgic feeling. The whole experience calms you down and lowers your heart rate. This is also why you probably fall asleep very easily when you lie on your towel on the beach.
This is how you get a blue mind
Do you want to test the theory? Then we simply recommend going to the water. You don’t necessarily have to go on an expensive beach holiday for this. You can also go to the water in the Netherlands. This could be the beach, but also a puddle or swimming pool. You don’t necessarily have to swim to experience the effects. Being near water, seeing it, hearing it and even smelling it can have many positive effects.
